J&K Congress to observe UT Diwas as ‘black day’: Wani
Wani reiterated the party stand and demanded restoration of statehood and early assembly polls in the region
Pradesh Congress Committee chief Vikar Rasool Wani on Wednesday said that the party would observe black day against the ”UT Diwas” celebrations by the Jammu and Kashmir administration scheduled for October 31. This is the fourth anniversary of the erstwhile state being turned into a Union territory.
Wani reiterated the party stand and demanded restoration of statehood and early assembly polls in the region.
Addressing party workers at Rajouri after a review meeting, Wani slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for “ruining” J&K in the past nine years.
“The BJP has politically damaged J&K. The last assembly elections were held here in 2014. Polls have been organised in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana but they handed a raw deal to J&K,” he said.
“J&K was the state, which was gifted by the Maharaja to India on certain conditions, such as special state subject to ensure land and job doesn’t go to outsiders. Similarly, it had more powers under Article 370 and 35-A. The BJP revoked the special status,” he said. The Congress chief recalled how his party never “downgraded” any state into a UT.
Wani said, “BJP leaders, who promised that UT status to J&K was temporary, are celebrating UT Diwas,” he lamented.
Appealing for restoration of statehood, “Do you consider the people of J&K to be dumb? You stripped them of their special status and statehood, and now you are celebrating UT Diwas. We had never thought of such a raw deal,” he said.
The Congress leader slammed the BJP and administration for growing unemployment in the region.
“We need to fight the people, who brought J&K at number one from 16 in the national unemployment index. Their tall claims of employment are just a hoax,” he said.
He also took a dig at the saffron party for listing their achievements in J&K while seeking votes in other states. “Had they situation really improved, terror attacks at Dhangri, Poonch and Rajouri that claimed 16 lives would not have happened. Had they improved socio-economic condition, they would not have won just two seats at Kargil hill council polls,” he said.
Wani said that being on a slippery wicket, the BJP has postponed urban local bodies and municipal polls.